Foldable and portable table assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a portable furniture assembly that utilizes a pair of opposed and spaced apart scissor assemblies. A stop mechanism is provided to retain a pair of scissor structures of the portable furniture assembly in a set-up condition and yet permit easy release of the stop mechanism to permit folding of the furniture assembly for transport. A foldable and portable chair has a flexible sling suspended between two scissor assemblies to define a seat and a back for the chair. The portable chair also has two bottom rails connected to front supports of the scissor assemblies via pivots. Rear supports of the scissor assemblies are removably connected to the bottom rails at the stop mechanism to retain the portable chair in a set-up condition and yet permit the chair to be folded to a completely flat or folded condition. A portable and foldable table also utilizes two scissor assemblies wherein elongate supports of the scissor assemblies define four table legs at lower ends of the supports. Two fixed upper ends of the supports are pivotally connected to a tabletop and the other two upper ends of the supports are releasably connected to the tabletop at the stop mechanism. The tabletop and legs are retained in a set-up condition by the stop mechanism and yet can be folded to a completely folded condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable foldingfurniture, and more particularly to a furniture piece that can becollapsed to a folded condition rendering the structure portable andun-folded to a set-up condition providing a sturdy piece of furniture.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Portable folding chairs and tables are known in the art and areprovided in many different forms and manufactured from many differentmaterials. Folding metal chairs are known that have a tubular frame withfront legs that extend upward and rearward wherein a metal sheet isattached to the upper ends of the legs defining a backrest. The rearlegs of the chair typically extend upward and forward and attach to thefront legs in scissor-like fashion at a leg pivot. The rear legs connectto a separate seat structure also typically in the form of a formedmetal sheet. These types of chairs have a thin metal bar interconnectingthe front and rear leg on each side of the chair below the leg pivot.The thin bar also has an intermediate pivot so that the bar can be bentin half when the chair is folded together. Folding and unfolding of thechair requires first manually lifting on the pivot of the thin bar.

[0005] There are many other types of folding chairs known in the art.The majority of these constructions are relatively complex and include anumber of separate components to complete the chair and to support thechair in a set-up condition. There are also conventional folding tableconstructions which have four legs and a table top. Each leg folds downfrom being parallel with one edge of the tabletop to being perpendicularto the table top. These types of folding tables are commonly known ascard tables.

[0006] Folding sling chairs are also known in the art and utilize anumber of structural components which can be folded and unfolded toconstruct a piece of furniture or make the furniture portable. Thesetypes of chairs utilize a piece of fabric suspended by its two oppositeends. The single piece of fabric forms both a chair seat and chairbackrest when a person sits in the chair with their weight supported bythe fabric sling. Examples of sling chairs are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,718,473 and 5,054,849.

[0007] Folding rocking chairs are also known in the art and alsotypically include a multitude of separate components that form the chairassembly. Foldable rocking chairs sometimes include bottom rails thathave curved bottom surfaces on which an individual can rock. An exampleof such a folding rocking chair is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,675.An even more elaborate foldable rocking chair construction is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,921 and includes a number of sliding and pivotingelements interconnected to one another. The bottom rails sit on theground and remain stationary while other elements of the chair producethe rocking feature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] What is needed is an inexpensive, sturdy and compact foldingfurniture piece that can be taken along when traveling and utilized justabout anywhere. What is also needed is a furniture piece that islightweight, easy to assemble, simple to manufacture, and requires aminimum number of moving parts and yet provides a sturdy construction.

[0009] The present invention is directed to a portable furnitureassembly such as a chair or a table that utilizes a scissor constructionthat is foldable and yet provides a very sturdy, stable piece offurniture. In one embodiment of the invention, a portable chair ismovable between at least a folded condition and a set-up condition. Theportable chair has two spaced apart and opposed bottom rails each havinga bottom surface, a forward end and a rear end. The portable chair alsohas two spaced apart and opposed leg scissors. Each leg scissor has along support and a short support that intersect one another and arepivotally attached to one another at a leg pivot. The long support ofeach leg scissor defines a front leg section below the leg pivot andterminates at a bottom end. Each long support also defines a seat backsection above the leg pivot and terminates at a top end. The shortsupport of each leg scissor defines a rear leg section below the legpivot that terminates at a lower end and a seat front support above theleg pivot that terminates at an upper end. The portable chair also has abackrest link interconnecting the seat back sections of the longsupports, a seat rest link interconnecting the seat front sections ofthe short supports, and a rail link interconnecting the bottom railsnear the rear ends. A front leg joint pivotally connects the bottom endsof each front leg section to a corresponding bottom rail near theforward end. A flexible sling is suspended at its opposite ends anddefines both the chair seat and chair backrest. The lower ends of theshort supports are held fixed by a stop mechanism when the chair is inthe set-up condition.

[0010] In one embodiment, the backrest link and the two long supportsare each a discrete separate structure with the backrest link connectedto the two long supports. In another embodiment, the backrest link andthe two long supports are integrally formed as a single unitarystructure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the seat rest link and the two short supportsare each a discrete separate structure with the seat rest link connectedto the two short supports. In another embodiment, the seat rest link andthe two short supports are integrally formed as a single unitarystructure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rail link and the two bottom rails areeach a discrete separate structure with the rail link connected to thetwo bottom rails. In another embodiment, the rail link and the twobottom rails are integrally formed as a single unitary structure.

[0013] In one embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the bottom rails arearcuate and define a rocking surface thereby forming a rocking portablechair.

[0014] In one embodiment, each of the links and supports are molded froma thermoplastic material. In another embodiment, each of the links andsupports are fabricated from wood.

[0015] In one embodiment, the flexible sling is a fabric sling with oneend suspended from the backrest link and the other end suspended fromthe seat rest link.

[0016] In one embodiment, the stop mechanism is provided by both therail link and the lower ends of the short supports wherein the lowerends have a contoured notch formed thereon that corresponds to and abutsagainst the rail link when the chair is in the set-up condition.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, a portable table ismovable between at least a folded condition and a set-up condition. Theportable table has a tabletop with a top surface and a bottom surface.The portable table also has two opposed and spaced apart leg scissorsthat depend generally from below the bottom surface of the tabletop.Each of the leg scissors has two elongate supports that intersect oneanother and are pivotally attached to one another at a leg pivot. Eachof the leg scissors defines two lower leg sections wherein one lower legsection of each scissor is defined below the leg pivot on each elongatesupport. Each of the elongate supports of the leg scissors also definesan upper support section that terminates at a top end. One upper supportsection of each leg scissor is defined above the leg pivot on eachelongate support. The portable table has at least one tabletop jointthat pivotally connects the top ends of two corresponding of the uppersupport sections to the tabletop, one on each leg scissor. At least onestop mechanism is provided that fixes the top end of each of the othertwo opposed upper support sections to the tabletop when the table is inthe set-up condition.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, a portable table isprovided that has two separate top surfaces at different height levels.The table includes two separate portable table sections, each similar tothe table described above. A first section has a lower surface providedby a tabletop carried on a first pair of leg scissors each defined byfirst elongate supports. A second section has a higher surface providedby a tabletop carried on a second pair of leg scissors having secondelongate supports that are longer than the first elongate supports. Theback edges of the two tabletops are interconnected by an interconnectingpanel with a first piece of the interconnecting panel affixed to theback edge of the first tabletop and a second piece of theinterconnecting panel affixed to the second tabletop. The two pieces ofthe interconnecting panel are hingedly attached to one another. Thelower first tabletop can be pivoted about the hinges so that its topsurface abuts the top surface of the second tabletop. The leg scissorsof the two sections can then be folded generally parallel to oneanother.

[0019] These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent upon a review of the written descriptionand the corresponding drawing figures. The exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention described and shown herein are provided in order toillustrate and not to limit the permissible scope of the presentinvention. Changes and modifications can be made to the embodimentsdescribed herein and yet fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The following drawing figures represent a number of permissibleembodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals providedin the drawings represent like components in each embodiment of theinvention and, wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a portable chair ina set-up condition and constructed in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the portable chair of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary partial sectional view takenalong line III-III of FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the portable chair of FIG. 1 ina completely folded condition;

[0025]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the portable chair ofFIG. 1 in a completely folded condition;

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a portable chairconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a portable table in aset-up condition and constructed in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 8 illustrates a partial fragmentary sectional view takenalong line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 showing a portion of the table in aset-up condition;

[0029]FIG. 9 illustrates a partial fragmentary sectional view of analternative construction of the portable table of FIG. 7;

[0030]FIG. 10 illustrates the portable table of FIG. 7 in a completelyfolded condition;

[0031]FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a portable tableconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0032]FIG. 12 is a side view of the portable table of FIG. 11;

[0033]FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the portable table of FIGS. 11and 12 in a partially folded condition; and

[0034]FIG. 14 illustrates the portable table of FIGS. 11-13 in acompletely folded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present invention is generally directed to a foldablefurniture structure such as a portable chair or a portable table,respectively illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7. The concept of the presentinvention is to provide a very sturdy and yet simple construction for afoldable piece of furniture that can be easily broken down and set upand can also be easily transported in its folded condition. The presentinvention provides for a simple interlock between two portions of thefurniture structure in order to create the sturdy construction andpermit simple folding of the furniture.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a portable chair is illustrated andis constructed in accordance with at least two embodiments of thepresent invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a portable chair 100 shownin a set-up condition. The portable chair 100 is movable between atleast a completely folded condition illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and theset-up condition.

[0037] The portable chair 100 has two spaced apart and opposed bottomrails 102 each having a bottom surface 104, a forward end 106 and a rearend 108. The portable chair 100 also has a pair of spaced apart andopposed leg scissor assemblies wherein each leg scissor assembly has anintersecting long support 110 and a short support 112. The long support110 and short support 112 are pivotally attached to one another at a legpivot 114 of each leg scissor assembly. The leg pivot 114 permits thelong support 110 and short support 112 to rotate relative to one anotherabout the leg pivot.

[0038] The long support 110 of each leg scissor assembly defines a frontleg section 116 below the leg pivot 114. Each front leg section 116terminates at a bottom end 118 of each long support 110. The longsupport 110 of each leg scissor assembly also defines a seat backsection 120 above the leg pivot 114. Each seat back section 120terminates at a top end 122 of the long support 110.

[0039] The short support 112 of each leg scissor assembly defines a rearleg section 124 below the leg pivot 114. Each rear leg section 124terminates at a lower end 126 of the short supports. The short support112 of each leg scissor assembly also defines a seat front support 128above the leg pivot 114. Each of the seat front supports 128 terminatesat an upper end 130 of the short supports.

[0040] The bottom ends 118 of the front leg sections 116 and the lowerends 126 of the rear leg sections 124 rest on a ground or supportsurface when the portable chair 100 is in use in he set-up condition.

[0041] The portable chair 100 also has a backrest link or cross member150 that interconnects the seat back sections 120 of the long supports110. In one embodiment, the backrest link 150 is disposed between theseat back sections 120 and abuts at its opposite ends against insidesurfaces 152 of the seat back sections. The location of the backrestlink can vary without departing from the scope of the present inventionbut in the present embodiment is illustrated adjacent the top ends 122of the long supports 110. The seat back link 150 can alternatively bedisposed somewhere between the top ends 122 and the leg pivot 114 andfall within the scope of the invention. More than one backrest link 150can also be utilized. Though the backrest link 150 in the presentembodiment is illustrated as being perpendicular to the seat backsections 120, the backrest link or links 150 can alternatively bedisposed at angles that are not normal or perpendicular to the seat backsections 120. The backrest link or links 150 can also be curved,although the link 150 is shown as a linear cross member in the presentembodiment. The backrest link 150 can alternatively be adhered to frontsurfaces 154, or to back surfaces 156 of the seat back sections 120 andfall within the scope of the present invention. In another alternativeconstruction, the backrest link 150 can be connected directly on top andabutting against the top ends 122 of the long supports 110.

[0042] The portable chair 100 also incorporates a seat rest link orcross member 160 that interconnects the seat front sections 128 of theshort supports 112. Again, the number, orientation, shape, andattachment of the seat rest link 160 can vary considerably withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Forexample, the seat rest link 160 can be attached and abut directly to theupper ends 130 of the short supports 112 as illustrated or canalternatively attach to inside surfaces 162, front surfaces 164 or backsurfaces 166 of the short supports 112 if desired.

[0043] The portable chair 100 also includes a rail link or cross member170 that interconnects inside surfaces 172 of the bottom rails 102 nearthe rear ends 108. Again, the bottom rails 102 can be interconnected bymore than one rail link 170. Additionally, the rail link 170 can beconnected to top surfaces 174, or bottom surfaces 104, without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The rail link or links 170can also vary in shape.

[0044] The portable chair 100 also includes a front leg joint 180 thatpivotally connects each front leg section 116 of the long supports 110near the bottom ends 118 to a corresponding one of the bottom rails 102near the respective forward ends 106. The front leg joints 180 permitrotational movement about the joints between the bottom rails 102 andthe long supports 110.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the portable chair 100 also includes at leastone stop mechanism 182. In the present embodiment, the lower ends 126 ofthe short supports 112 abut against the rail link 170 when the portablechair 100 is in the set-up condition. The stop mechanism 182 of thisembodiment is formed by the rail link 170 and lower end 126 of eachshort support 112. The one or more stop mechanisms 182 can take on anynumber of configurations and constructions without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. In the present embodiment, the raillink 170 serves as a stop surface against which the lower ends 126 ofthe short supports 112 rest. In this embodiment, the lower ends 126include a notched cutout 184 with a contour that corresponds to theshape of the rail link 170. The notch or cutout 184 in the lower ends126 combines with the rail link 170 to form each stop mechanism 182.

[0046] Alternatively, separate additional elements can be added toeither the bottom rails 102 or to the rear leg sections 124 in order toform a part of the stop mechanism 182. In another alternative, integralprotrusions or cutouts can be provided on the bottom rails, the rear legsections, or both to form an appropriate stop mechanism that willreleasably but securely hold the rear leg sections 124 in a fixedposition when the chair is in the set-up condition.

[0047] The portable chair 100 also includes a flexible sling 186 in theform of a sheet of flexible material. The flexible sling 186 issuspended in an appropriate manner from its opposite ends 188 and 190between the seat back sections 120 of the long supports 110 near the topends 122 and the seat front sections 128 of the short supports 112 nearthe upper ends 130. The suspended sheet of material 186 defines both aseat cushion and a seat back of the portable chair 100.

[0048] The flexible sling 186 can be formed from virtually any suitablematerial such as a cloth or fabric material or a durable and flexiblerubber or plastic composition. The flexible sling 186 is intended tohang somewhat loosely between its opposed ends 188 and 190 so that aperson can sit in the chair 100 comfortably and be fully supported bythe material.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the flexible sling186 is connected to and suspended from the backrest link 150 and theseat rest link 160 by the opposed ends 188 and 190, respectively. In oneembodiment the flexible sling 186, such as a cloth or fabric material iswrapped at least once around the links 150 and 160 and fastened oradhered thereto by a suitable adhesive or fastener such as a number ofstaples. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the flexiblesling 186 can include a loop 192 of the sling material formed on each ofthe opposed ends 188 and 190 through which the links 150 and 160 arereceived prior to assembly of the chair 100. In another alternativeembodiment, the ends 188 and 190 of the flexible sling 186 can beadhered or otherwise fastened to a portion of the supports 110 and 112or to the links 150 and 160 by discrete elements such as rope, string,hog rings or the like. The manner in which the flexible sling 186 isadhered to the chair 100 can vary considerably within the scope of thepresent invention.

[0050] In use, the portable chair 100 can be manipulated by pivoting thelong and short supports 110 and 112 about the leg pivots 114 in thedirection of the arrows “A”. The long supports are pivoted about thefront leg joints 180 relative to the bottom rails 102 in the directionof the arrows “B”. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the portable chair 100 in aset-up condition wherein the chair is manipulated so that a user can siton the chair. In this condition, the notched cutouts 184 abut againstthe rail link 170 and rest thereon. When an individual sits in thechair, their weight pressed downward and forces the rear leg sectionsrearward away from the front leg sections 116 since the front legsections are fixed by the front leg joints 180. The notched cut out 184and the rail link 170 are contoured and oriented such that the rearwardmovement of the rear leg sections is prevented and the two componentslock together. In this manner, the chair provides a sturdy, rigidconstruction that can support the weight of a user and the user's weightincreases the rigidity of the chair. The stop mechanisms 182 in anyembodiment preferably use the weight of the user to force the stopmechanism components together, increasing the chair's rigidity.

[0051] The backrest link 150, seat rest link 160, and rail link 170 alsoprovide lateral structural rigidity to the chair 100. It will be evidentto those skilled in the art that other structural members such asadditional cross members or links can be added between the supports orthe links to increase the rigidity of the chair, if so desired. As shownin FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, a cross-member 194 extends between andinterconnects the two rear legs 124 providing additional rigidity to thechair structure.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the long supports, theshort supports, the backrest link, the seat rest link, and the rail linkare all separate discrete structural elements that are affixed to oneanother by a suitable manner. The components can be fastened togetherutilizing nails, screws, nuts and bolts, staples, adhesives, hook andloop fasteners, dowels, tongue and groove formations, or other suchsuitable fastening mechanisms. Combinations of the above fasteningmethods can also be used.

[0053] In another embodiment, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG.6, one or more of the components of the chair 100 can be formed asintegral unitary structural components. For example, the two longsupports 110 and the backrest link 150 can be integrally formed as asingle unitary U-shaped structure. The two short supports 112 and theseat rest link 160 can also be formed as an integral unitary structure.The cross-member 194 can also be formed as a part of this unit. Also,the two bottom rails 102 and the rail link 170 can be formed as aunitary integral structure. Regardless of whether the components of thechair are formed integrally or as discrete separate components, thechair is easily assembled as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0054] The leg pivots 114 and the pivot joints 180 can also varyconsiderably without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. The pivots can be loosely mounted fasteners includingwashers, nuts and bolts or can comprise steel, plastic, nylon or Teflon®elements forming pivot shafts and bearings. The shafts can be secured inany suitable manner, utilizing nuts, cotter, pins, rivets, machine orrolled flanges, or the like. It is imperative that the leg pivots 114and front leg joints 180 permit relative ease of rotation between thecomponents and yet remain securely fastened.

[0055] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the bottom surface104 of the bottom rails 102 is a curved surface. The portable chair 100is thereby a rocking chair providing an additional feature withoutadding any additional parts to the structure. The bottom surfaces 104 ofthe rails 102 can also be straight, linear surfaces that rest securelyon the ground. Such an embodiment would not provide a rocking chairfeature.

[0056] The components of the chair 100 can vary in shape, size andmaterial structure without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. The size of the individual components including the lengthwill determine the size and shape of the chair. It is conceivable thatthe bottom rails can be exceptionally long and that the long supports110 and short supports 112 can be of the same length. Such aconstruction will define a flexible sling cot or hammock. Suchalternative constructions are within the purview of the presentinvention.

[0057]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates the portable chair 100 in a completelyfolded condition. The long supports 110 and the short supports 112 arepivoted about the leg pivots 114 so that they are generally parallel toone another. The rear leg sections 124 are preferably pivoted toward theseat back supports 120. The bottom rails 102 are pivoted about the pivotjoints 180 generally parallel with the long and short supports. However,depending on the positioning of the rail link 170, folding the bottomrails 102 to a completely parallel position may not be possible becausethe positioning of the rail link may prevent the long and short supportsfrom being received completely between the bottom rails. Positioning ofthe pivot joints 180 and design shape of the supports and links caneasily accommodate a completely parallel folded chair.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the short supports 112 are receivedbetween and on the inside surfaces 152 of the long supports 110 and cantherefore pivot to be completely parallel to and between the longsupports. The long supports 110 can be positioned either on the insidesurfaces 174 or the outside surfaces of the bottom rails 102. Further,the short supports 112 can be positioned on outside surfaces 196 of thelong supports 110 and yet fall within the purview of the presentinvention. These alternative constructions of the portable chair 100will necessitate alternative stop mechanism design and placement inorder to prevent the rear leg sections 124 from being displaced when thechair is in a set-up condition as described above.

[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, a portable table 200 is illustratedand is movable between at least a folded condition, shown in FIG. 10,and a set-up condition, shown in FIG. 7, similar to the portable chair100 described above. The portable table 200 has a tabletop 202 with atop surface 204 and a bottom surface 206. The portable table 200 alsohas two opposed and spaced apart leg scissor assemblies that dependgenerally from below the bottom surface 204. Each leg scissor assemblyhas a pair of elongate supports 208, 209 that are of essentially thesame length. The elongate supports 208 and 209 are similar inconstruction and function to the long and short supports 110 and 112described above for the portable chair. The supports 208 and 209 of eachleg scissor assembly intersect one another and are pivotally connectedto one another by a leg pivot 114 which is essentially identical to thatdescribed above for the chair. Four lower leg sections 210 are defined,one each below the leg pivot 114 on each of the elongate supports 208and 209. The elongate supports 208 define two opposed end pivoting uppersupport sections 212 above the leg pivots 114 that each terminate at atop end 214. The elongate supports 209 define two opposed and free uppersupports 213 above the leg pivots 114 that each terminate at a top end215.

[0060] A tabletop joint 216 connects the two opposed and pivoting uppersupport sections 212 near the top ends 214, one on each scissorassembly, to the tabletop. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and8, the two tabletop joints 216 are carried, each on one of a pair ofcross members 218 attached to the bottom surface 204 of the tabletop.The cross members 218 in this embodiment extend from a front edge 220 toa back edge 222 of the tabletop, herein termed as such for convenienceof description only. The tabletop joints 216 can alternatively beconnected directly into opposed side edges 224 of the tabletop or intoopposed ends of an alternative transverse cross member (not shown)attached to the bottom surface 204 of the tabletop and extending betweenthe side edges 224, or perpendicular to the orientation of the crossmembers 218 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0061] The table 200 also has an optional structural link 226 thatinterconnects the other two opposed upper support sections 213 adjacenttheir top ends 215 to add structural rigidity to the leg scissorassemblies. It is apparent that the link 226 is not necessary to providea table according to the present invention. More than one structurallink having any number of orientations and positions can be provided toincrease the structural rigidity and stiffness of the table 200.

[0062] The table 200 also has at least one stop mechanism 227 that fixesthe tabletop to the top end 215 of the other two opposed and free uppersupport sections 213. The table 200 is similar in construction to thechair 100 in that the free opposed upper support sections 213 areprevented from moving laterally away from the fixed upper supportsections 212 when the table is in the set-up condition as illustrated inFIG. 4. When items are placed on the top surface 204 of the tabletop202, the weight forces the stop mechanism 227 to securely hold the tablein the set-up condition.

[0063]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment of the stop mechanism 227for the table 200. In this embodiment, the link 226 is connected to aback surface 228 of the supports 209 on the two free upper supportsections 213. A pair of stop blocks 230 are disposed on the bottomsurface 204 of the tabletop adjacent the front edge 220 but spacedinward from the structural cross members 218. A gap 231 is definedbetween each stop block 230 and the respective cross member 218. Eachgap has a distance that is only slightly larger than the width orthickness of the upper support sections 213. In this embodiment, the topends 215 of the upper support sections 213 slide into the gaps 231between the stop blocks 230 and the cross members 218 until the link 226abuts against a stop surface 232 on each of the stop blocks 230. Theangle of the stop surface 232 in the present embodiment preferablycorresponds to the angle of the link 226 against which it abuts. In thisembodiment, the stop blocks 230 and the structural link 226 incombination define a pair of stop mechanisms 227.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, a continuous cross member or stopblock (not shown) can replace the stop blocks 230 and extend across thefront edge 220 of the bottom surface 204 of the tabletop 202 andterminate short of the cross members 218, leaving gaps 231 between endsof the single stop block and the cross members. The continuous stopblock defines a continuous stop surface that extends between the twocross members 218. In either embodiment, the arrangement can beconfigured so that the top ends 215 of the free upper support sections213 align with the front edge 220 of the tabletop for a clean,aesthetically pleasing structure.

[0065]FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a stopmechanism, as viewed in the direction of the arrow “C”, for the table200 of the present invention. In this embodiment, two L-shaped stopblocks 236 are provided on the bottom surface 206 near the front edge220 of the tabletop 202. The L-shaped stop blocks 236 define slots 238into which the free upper support sections 213 are received. The endsurface 240 of each slot 238 provides the stop surface against which thefree upper support sections 213 abut when the table is in the set-upcondition.

[0066] As with the chair construction described above, the stopmechanism 227 can vary considerably without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. The free upper support sections 213can incorporate a separate or an integral element defining a portion ofthe stop mechanism. The top ends 215 of the free upper support sectionscan also be varied and provided with a contour that mates with acorresponding element such as a cutout or protrusion provided either onthe bottom surface 204 of the tabletop or on one or more structuralcross members. The stop mechanism 227 must again prevent the uppersupport sections 213 of each leg scissor from moving away from the uppersupport sections 212 when weight is placed on the tabletop. The forceinstead increases the strength of the interlock at each stop mechanism.

[0067] As with the chair construction, the materials, sizes and shapesof the various components of the table 200 can vary considerably withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Aestheticallypleasing designs can be provided that will still provide a portabletable that can be easily broken down and folded for transport. Theelongate supports 208 and 209 can be pivoted relative to one anotherabout the leg pivots 114 in the direction of the arrows “D”. Thetabletop can be pivoted relative to the supports 208 about the pivotjoints 216 in the direction of the arrows “E”.

[0068]FIG. 10 illustrates the table 200 in a completely foldedcondition. The elongate supports 208 and 209 of each scissor assemblyare pivoted about the leg pivot 114 and folded generally parallel to oneanother with the free upper support sections 213 pivoted toward thelower legs 210 of the supports 208. The tabletop 202 is then foldedabout the pivot joints 216 toward the supports 208 and 209 to begenerally parallel with the elongate supports.

[0069] The table 200 can also be constructed similar to the chair 100wherein the several components are either provided separately anddiscretely and then affixed to one another or provided as integrallyformed unitary components. Additionally, the table 200 can be varied toincorporate any number of different types of tabletops including theslat construction illustrated in FIGS. 7-14 or a solid planarconstruction (not shown). The shape of the tabletop 202 can also varyconsiderably without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. The materials used to fabricate the components of the table200 can also vary and include wood, metal, plastics, composites, and thelike.

[0070]FIG. 11 illustrates a portable table 300 constructed in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. The portable table 300essentially includes a pair of portable tables or table sections, eachconstructed identically to the portable table 200 as describedpreviously. The two portable tables are hingedly connected to oneanother and provide a bi-level top surface.

[0071] A first or short portable table section 302 has a top surface 204that is disposed lower than a top surface 204 of a second or tallerportable table section 304. The shorter table section 302 has a pair ofleg scissors each being made of a pair of elongate supports 208 and 209constructed essentially identical to the elongate supports for the table200 described previously. The second table section 304 also includes apair of leg scissors each having a pair of elongate supports 208 and 209constructed identically to the those of the table 200. The elongatesupport 208 and 209 of the second table section 304, however, aresomewhat longer than the elongate supports of the first table section302. This is to provide the height difference between the two topsurfaces 204 of the table sections 302 and 304.

[0072] The stop mechanisms and the folding and unfolding of the tablesections 302 and 304 are also essentially identical to that describedabove for the table 200. However, the two table sections 302 and 304 canalso be folded onto one another. In this embodiment, the first or shorttable section 302 includes a tabletop 202 having a back edge that facestoward the back edge of the tabletop 202 of the second or taller tablesection 304. A planar wall 306 is affixed to the back edge of thetabletop of the shorter table section 302 and extends upward beyond thetop surface 204 of the tabletop 202. One or more hinges 308 are carriedat the top edge of the planar wall 306 and are hingedly attached to theback edge of the tabletop 204 of the second or taller table section 304.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, a separate connectionelement 310 is attached to the back edge of the tabletop of the secondtable section 304 wherein the hinge or hinges 308 are carried on theconnection element 310. The first and second table sections 302 and 304can be pivoted relative to one another about the hinges 308 so that thefront surfaces 312 and 314 of the wall 306 and the connecting element310, respectively, confront parallel to one another. The height of theplanar wall 306 between the top surface 204 of the tabletop of the firsttable section 302 and the pivot axis of the hinges 308 are such that thetwo tabletops 204 of the corresponding table sections 302 and 304 alsoconfront parallel to one another as illustrated in FIG. 13. The heightof the planar wall 306 permits the two tabletops to rest flush againstone another when the two table sections 302 and 304 are folded relativeto one another.

[0073]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the table 300 wherein each of the tablesections 302 and 304 are unfolded to a set-up condition similar to thatdescribed for the table 200. To completely fold the table 300 asillustrated in FIG. 14, the two tabletops 202 of the table sections 302and 304 are folded to confront one another as illustrated in FIG. 13.The leg scissors are then collapsed as described above for the table 200for each of the table sections 302 and 304 including the elongatesupports are parallel with their respective tabletops. The table 300 asillustrated in FIG. 14 can then be easily transported in its foldedcondition.

[0074] The exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended tolimit the present invention. The embodiments are provided herein toillustrate the various aspects of the present invention. The scope andspirit of the present invention is to be limited only by the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:
 1. A portable chair moveable between at least afolded condition and a set-up condition, the portable chair comprising:two spaced apart and opposed bottom rails each having a bottom surface,a forward end, and a rear end; two spaced apart and opposed legscissors, each leg scissor including a first support and a secondsupport pivotally attached to one another at a leg pivot, the firstsupport of each leg scissor defining a front leg section below the legpivot terminating at a bottom end and a seat back section above the legpivot terminating at a top end, and the second support of each legscissor defining a rear leg section below the leg pivot terminating at alower end and a seat front section above the leg pivot terminating at anupper end; a back rest link interconnecting the seat back sections ofthe first supports; a seat rest link interconnecting the seat frontsections of the second supports; a rail link interconnecting the bottomrails near the rear ends; a front leg joint pivotally connecting eachfront leg section near the bottom end to the corresponding bottom railnear the forward end; a flexible sling suspended generally between thefirst supports and the second supports with one end of the slingdisposed near the top ends of the first supports and an opposite end ofthe sling disposed near the upper ends of the second supports; and atleast one stop mechanism that prevents the lower ends of the secondsupports from moving relative to the bottom ends of the first supportswhen the chair is in the set-up condition.
 2. The portable chairaccording to claim 1 , wherein the back rest link and the two firstsupports are each a discrete structure and the back rest link is affixedto the two first supports.
 3. The portable chair according to claim 1 ,wherein the back rest link and the two first supports are integrallyformed as a single unitary structure.
 4. The portable chair according toclaim 1 , wherein the seat rest link and the two second supports areeach a discrete structure and the seat rest link is affixed to the twosecond supports.
 5. The portable chair according to claim 1 , whereinthe seat rest link and the two second supports are integrally formed asa single unitary structure.
 6. The portable chair according to claim 1 ,wherein the rail link and the two bottom rails are each a discretestructure and the rail link is affixed to the two bottom rails.
 7. Theportable chair according to claim 1 , wherein the rail link and the twobottom rails are integrally formed as a single unitary structure.
 8. Theportable chair according to claim 1 , wherein the back rest link and thetwo first supports are integrally formed as a single unitary structure,wherein the seat rest link and the two second supports are integrallyformed as a single unitary structure, and wherein the rail link and thetwo bottom rails are integrally formed as a single unitary structure. 9.The portable chair according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom surfaces ofthe bottom rails are arcuate defining a rocking surface for the portablechair.
 10. The portable chair according to claim 1 , wherein the firstsupports, second supports, and the seat rest, back rest and rail linksare molded from a thermoplastic material.
 11. The portable chairaccording to claim 1 , wherein the first supports, second supports, andthe seat rest, back rest and rail links are fabricated from wood. 12.The portable chair according to claim 1 , wherein the seat rest, backrest and rail links are each connected, respectively, to the secondsupports, first supports and bottom rails in a manner comprising atleast one of an adhesive material, threaded fasteners, nails, a tongueand groove arrangement, staples, and a dowel arrangement.
 13. Theportable chair according to claim 1 , wherein the stop mechanism furthercomprises: a notch carried on the lower end of the second support ofeach leg scissor, the notch abutting the rail link in the set-upcondition.
 14. The portable chair according to claim 1 , wherein theflexible sling is suspended from the seat rest link and the back restlink by its opposed ends.
 15. The portable chair according to claim 1 ,wherein the back rest link is connected between the first elongatesupports adjacent the top ends.
 16. The portable chair according toclaim 1 , wherein the seat rest link is connected to the upper ends ofthe second elongate supports.
 17. A portable table that is movablebetween at least a folded condition and a set-up condition, the portabletable comprising: a tabletop having a top surface and a bottom surface;two opposed and spaced apart leg scissors depending generally from belowthe bottom surface of the tabletop, each leg scissor having two elongatesupports pivotally attached to one another at a leg pivot; four lowerleg sections wherein one lower leg section is defined below the legpivot on each elongate support of each opposed leg scissor; two fixedupper support sections and two free upper support sections eachterminating at a top end and wherein one fixed and one free uppersupport section is defined above the leg pivot on the elongate supportsof each opposed leg scissor; at least one tabletop joint pivotallyconnecting the top ends of the two opposed fixed upper support sectionsto the tabletop; and at least one stop mechanism that prevents the topends of the two free upper support sections from moving relative to thetwo fixed upper support sections when the table is in the set-upcondition.
 18. The portable table according to claim 17 , furthercomprising: a structural link interconnecting the two free upper supportsections near their respective top ends.
 19. The portable tableaccording to claim 18 , wherein the stop mechanism further comprises: atleast one stop block carried on the bottom surface of the tabletop; anda stop surface on the at least one stop block abutting the structurallink when in the set-up condition.